HRH. Princess Maka Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for Astro Park - set to be the new headquarters of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, in Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai.

During her royal visit to Chiang Mai during July 8-10, 2015, HRH. Princess Sirindhorn performed a Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony on July 9, 2015 at Astro Park as Prof. Boonrucksar Soonthornthum, Executive Director and Dr. Saran Poshyachinda, Deputy Director lead the staff members of NARIT to welcome all distinguished guests with a warm welcome and utmost joy of the people of Chiang Mai alike. Prominent figures in Science & Technology of Thailand such as the His Excellency, Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, Minister of Science and Technology and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Weerapong Pairsuwan, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology were also present.

Astro Park is located in Mae Rim District with the total area of 54 rais. It is poised to be a hub for excellence in astronomical research and development for Thailand and also the SEA region that links the entire network of the Thai National Observatory, Regional Observatories for the Public in different geographical zones of Thailand namely, Nakorn Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chachoengsao, Pitsanuloke and Songkla together with Thai Robotic Telescopes Network with the locations of Chile, China, Australia and USA. Astro Park is also poised to closely flourish the collaborative network with observatories in China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, just to name a few.

Astro Park will be endowed with cutting edge, state-of-the-art technologies and innovation that garners research work in astronomy and astrophysics and incubates emerging astronomers with the latest astronomical information centre staging activities in relation to modern astronomical studies and technology transfer. Astro Park is also aimed at becoming the centre for academic and historic site in astronomy that will bring in local visitors to enhance their awareness to a knowledge-based society in which driven by science, technology and innovation, leading Thailand to the frontier in astronomy within the SEA region.

Once completed, Astro Park will be comprised of the followings;

- Astronomical Research and Services Centre

- Optics Laboratory

- Instrumentation Development Laboratory

- Planetarium, Exhibits, and Museum

- Observatory

- Convention Center

- Amphitheatre

Astro Park – the one of its kind that cultivates astronomical research work leading Thailand to become the hub that links global astronomical networks together and plays a significant role in bridging the gaps of astronomy in Southeast Asia en route to the region of astronomy par excellence.